JKH vision project to continue into 2008

The John Keells Social Responsibility Foundation (the CSR arm of the John Keells Group) this week said it was extending its successful ‘John Keells Vision Project’ into 2007/08.

The project, which will look to complete an aggregate of 2,000 cataract operations, will also feature eye camps in remote locations around the country.

The John Keells Vision Project is primarily an island-wide cataract operation project aligned with the World Health Organisation’s “Vision 2020” Project and launched for the benefit of deserving, disadvantaged or needy persons across Sri Lanka. Originally launched as `John Keells Vision 1000’ in 2004/05, the initial target was to restore the eyesight of 1,000 needy cataract patients throughout Sri Lanka. With 1,590 cataract operations completed to date, the Vision Project will look to expand in the coming year as it operates under the revised name, ‘John Keells Vision 2000’, reflecting the number of operations it aims to complete by the end of 2008.

The project has been executed primarily via Base Hospitals in various provinces. In 2005/06, a sub-project was introduced to provide needy children, who are screened at the John Keells eye camps, with spectacles.

The project team is ably supported by volunteers from the staff of the John Keells Group, many of whom have shared inspirational human experiences after serving at eye camps held in remote parts of the country.